Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
5. Zaemon’s Curse
ItstamenessseemedafittingsymbolofthemasterfulstrengthofthisnewrulerofAtlantis.
Simultaneouslywiththemammoth,therecameintosightthatotherandgreaterwonder,themammoth’smistress,theEmpressPhorenice.Thebeasttookmyeyeatthefirst,fromitsveryuncouthhugeness,fromitsshowofsavagepowerrestrained;buttheladywhosatinthegoldenhalf-castleonitsloftybackquicklydrewawaymygaze,andhelditimmovablefromthenonwardswithaninfiniteattraction.
IstoodtomyfeetwhenthepeoplefirstshoutedatPhorenice’sapproach,andremainedintheporchwayofmyscarletpaviliontillhervaststeedhadhaltedinthecentreofthesquare,andthenIadvancedacrossthepavementtowardsher.
“Onyourknees,mylord,”saidoneofthechamberlainsbehindme,inascaredwhisper.
“Atleastwithbenthead,”urgedanother.
ButIhadmyownnotionsofwhatisduetoone’sownself-respectinthesematters,andImarchedacrossthebareopenspacewithheaderect,givingtheEmpressgazeforgaze.Shewasclearlysummingmeup.Iwasfranklydoingthelikebyher.Gods!butthosefewshortsecondsmademeseeawomansuchasIneverimaginedcouldhavelived.
IknowIhaveplaceditonrecordearlierinthiswritingthat,duringallthedaysofalongofficiallife,womenhavehadnoinfluenceoverme.ButIhavebeenquicktoseethattheyoftenhadastrongswayingpoweroverthepoliciesofothers,andasaconsequenceIhavemadeitmybusinesstostudythemevenasIhavestudiedmen.
